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Battle Royal
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The play Richard II by William Shakespeare is about a King who failed to perform his duties as King. Shakespeare illustrates the need for a change in the mode of power from that which privileges inheritance to that which values competency. A rule by inheritance is depicted through King Richard, whereas a rule by competency is illustrated by Henry Bolingbroke. The play Richard II is an allegory to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and her controversial reign of power in England. She, like Richard, was seen to be very unsuccessful.
Richard II shows how power play is operating in the Royal courts under Richard's reign. Richard shows little respect for his subjects, the people of England, although he still feels they owe him respect since he subscribes to the notion of the divine rule of Kings. Henry Bolingbroke, on the other hand, has a good relationship with the common people, something that Richard despises because he knows that Bolingbroke could use the people's affection against his Kingship. Richard notes that Bolingbroke seems to ‘dive into their hearts/ with humble and familiar courtesy.'(Act One, Scene Four), Richard is jealous of Bolingbroke's competency with the English people. He has every reason to be wary of the Duke because of his aspirations. We see an abuse of power by Richard in relation to Bolingbroke and Mowbray, the latter who have a disagreement with one another over Gloucester's death. This scene shows a power struggle between them all for...
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